U.S. patent number 4,998,673 [Application Number 07/180,784] was granted by the patent office on 1991-03-12 for spray head for automatic actuation.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Sloan Valve Company. Invention is credited to Joseph J. Pilolla.
United States Patent |
4,998,673 |
Pilolla |
March 12, 1991 |
Spray head for automatic actuation
Abstract
A water spray head for a shower or sink includes means for
emitting and receiving signals for automatic operation in response
to the presence of a user. The means are positioned such that the
stream of water surrounds the emitting and receiving means. The
emitting and receiving means includes conduit means disposed within
at least a portion of water supply connected to the spray head. In
one embodiment, the conduit is in the form of a fiber optic cable.
In another, an emitter and detector are mounted in the spray head
and the conduit comprises electrical conductors.
Inventors: |
Pilolla; Joseph J. (Elmhurst,
IL) |
Assignee: |
Sloan Valve Company (Franklin
Park, IL)
|
Family
ID: |
22661752 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/180,784 |
Filed: |
April 12, 1988 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
239/67;
4/623 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05B
12/12 (20130101); E03C 1/057 (20130101); B05B
1/18 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B05B
12/08 (20060101); B05B 12/12 (20060101); B05B
1/18 (20060101); E03C 1/05 (20060101); E03C
001/05 () |
Field of
Search: |
;4/623,DIG.3 ;239/67,289
;222/52 ;137/131,801 ;250/221 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3100773 |
|
Nov 1981 |
|
DE |
|
3135861 |
|
Mar 1983 |
|
DE |
|
1084156 |
|
Sep 1967 |
|
GB |
|
Primary Examiner: Kashnikow; Andres
Assistant Examiner: Weldon; Kevin
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Kinzer, Plyer, Dorn, McEachran
& Jambor
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A spray head for automatic actuation of flow, said spray head
comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet to receive and
direct flow in a predetermined pattern of spray, signal emitting
and receiving means connected to said housing for emitting and
receiving signals from a zone, said outlet of said housing
surrounding said signal emitting and receiving means such that said
zone is engulfed by said predetermined pattern of spray upon
initiation of flow.
2. A spray head as claimed in claim 1 wherein said signal emitting
and receiving means comprise respectively a light emitting diode
and a phototransistor.
3. A spray head as claimed in claim 1 wherein said signal emitting
and receiving means comprise a pair of fiber optic cables.
4. A spray head as claimed in claim 1 wherein said signal emitting
and receiving means comprise respectively a light emitting diode
and a fiber optic cable.
5. A spray head as claimed in claim 1 wherein said signal emitting
and receiving means comprise respectively a fiber optic cable and a
phototransistor.
6. A spray head as claimed in claim 1 wherein said housing includes
means for supporting the signal emitting and receiving means within
said housing, said signal emitting and receiving means being
disposed centrally of said outlet opening facing in the direction
of said predetermined pattern of spray.
7. A spray head as claimed in claim 6 wherein said means for
supporting said signal emitting and receiving means within said
housing comprises a nut threadably fastened about said housing
having disposed therein a retaining screw, said screw having a body
and a central bore through said body for receiving said signal
emitting and receiving means therein, and seal means in said
retaining screw to prevent water from flowing along said signal
emitting and receiving means.
8. A spray head as claimed in claim 7 wherein the outer end of said
retaining screw has a plurality of grooves in communication with
said central bore, said grooves extending to the periphery of said
body to channel water away from said signal emitting and receiving
means.
9. A spray head as claim in claim 7 wherein said signal emitting
and receiving means are contained within a protective sheath.
10. A spray head as claimed in claim 9 further comprising a hollow,
rigid plug fastened to the end of said sheath and extending into
said central bore of said retaining screw, said signal emitting and
receiving means extending beyond said sheath and into said
plug.
11. A spray head as claimed in claim 10 further comprising a set
screw engaging said plug to hold it in said central bore of said
retaining screw.
12. A spray head as claimed in claim 6 wherein said means for
supporting said signal emitting and receiving means within said
housing consists of a nut threadably fastened about said housing,
said nut having disposed therein a retainer assembly, said retainer
assembly having a body defining a chamber at one end and a solid
portion at the other end, said solid portion defining a face, said
retainer assembly secured in water right relationship.
13. A spray head as claimed in claim 12 wherein said solid portion
of said retainer assembly defines a pair of cylindrical openings,
one of said openings adapted to receive a signal emitting device
and the other of said openings adapted to receive a signal
receiving device.
14. A spray head as claimed in claim 13 wherein said openings
further define respective counterbores, each of said counterbores
adapted to secure a lense.
15. A spray head as claimed in claim 14 wherein said counterbores
further define at their lower ends larger counterbores, said larger
counterbores open through said face of said retainer assembly, each
of said larger counterbores provided with a transparent window.
16. A spray head as claimed in claim 15 wherein said face of said
retainer assembly defines a portion, said partition located between
said windows and extending to the perimeter of said face.
17. A faucet system for automatic activation of water flow
comprising a water supply line connectable to a water source, a
spout connected to said water supply line, a spray head attached to
the end of said spout and having a flow control means for
dispersing water out of said spray head in a controlled spray
pattern having an included dry zone where no water is directed,
control means for detecting the presence of a user, a solenoid
valve in said water supply line responsive to said control means to
control the flow of water and signal emitting and receiving means
connected to said spray head and extending from said control means
to said spray head at least partially within said spout, said
emitting and receiving means exposed at said spray head for
emitting and receiving signals to and from said included dry zone
of said spray pattern, said flow control means defining a water
outlet surrounding said exposed portions of said emitting and
receiving means such that said zone is engulfed by said spray
pattern on initiation of flow.
18. The faucet system of claim 17 further comprising a retaining
screw fastened to said flow control means, said screw having a body
and a central bore through said body for receiving said signal
emitting and receiving means therein, and seal means in said
retaining screw to prevent water from flowing along side said
emitting and receiving means.
19. The faucet system of claim 18 wherein the outer end of said
retaining screw has a plurality of grooves in communication with
said central bore, said grooves extending to the periphery of said
body to channel water away from said signal emitting and receiving
means.
20. The faucet system of claim 12 wherein said signal emitting and
receiving means are contained within a protective sheath.
21. The faucet system of claim 20 further comprising a hollow,
rigid plug fastened to the end of said sheath and extending into
said central bore of said retaining screw, said signal emitting and
receiving means extending beyond said sheath and into said
plug.
22. The faucet system of claim 21 further comprising a set screw
engaging said plug to hold in said central bore of said retaining
screw.
23. The faucet system of claim 22 further comprising a retainer
assembly fastened to said flow control means, said retainer
assembly having a body defining a chamber at one end for receiving
said signal emitting and receiving means therein and a solid
portion at the other end, said solid portion defining a face, said
retainer assembly secured in water tight relationship.
24. The faucet system of claim 23 wherein said solid portion of
said retainer assembly defines a pair of cylindrical openings, one
of said openings adapted to receive a signal emitting device and
the other of said openings adapted to receive a signal receiving
device.
25. The faucet system of claim 24 wherein said openings further
define respective counterbores, each of said counterbores adapted
to secure a lense.
26. The faucet system of claim 25 wherein said counterbores further
define at their lower ends larger counterbores, said larger
counterbores open through said face of said retainer assembly, each
of said larger counterbores provided with a transparent window.
27. The faucet system of claim 26 wherein said face of said
retainer assembly defines a partition, said partition located
between said windows and extending to the perimeter of said
face.
28. The faucet system of claim 17 wherein the flow control means
comprises a piston having a chamber in communication with said
spout, at least one port in said chamber to permit flow out said
chamber, and a hollow piston stem depending from said chamber, with
said signal emitting and receiving means extending through said
chamber and stem, said piston being water tight between said stem
and said signal emitting and receiving means.
29. The faucet system of claim 27 further comprising a retaining
screw fastened to said piston stem, said screw having a body and a
central bore through said body communicating with said hollow stem
to receive said signal emitting and receiving means therein.
30. The faucet system of claim 29 wherein the outer end of said
body has a plurality of grooves in communication with said bore and
extending to the periphery of said body to channel water away from
said signal emitting and receiving means.
31. The faucet system of claim 28 further comprising a retainer
assembly fastened to said piston stem, said retainer assembly
having a body defining a chamber at one end and a solid portion at
the other end, said chamber communicating with said hollow piston
stem to receive said signal emitting and receiving means
therein.
32. The faucet system of claim 17 wherein said signal emitting and
receiving means comprise respectively a light emitting diode and a
phototransistor.
33. The faucet system of claim 17 wherein said signal emitting and
receiving means comprise a pair of fiber optic cables.
34. The faucet system of claim 17 wherein said signal emitting and
receiving means comprise respectively a light emitting diode and a
fiber optic cable.
35. The faucet system of claim 17 wherein said signal emitting and
receiving means comprise respectively a fiber optic cable and a
phototransistor.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a shower head or sink spray head of the
type having signaling means for "handleless" operation. The
invention is specifically concerned with a spray head having signal
emitting and receiving means built into the spray head.
Spray heads for shower stalls or hospital scrub sinks are known. In
connection with scrub sinks, at least, it has been known to
associate automatic flow control means with the spray head to
activate flow of water in response to the presence of a user. Flow
control devices include electro-magnetic, proximity-sensing
pyroelectric and Doppler-type sensors.
One difficulty associated with prior arrangements is the location
of the signal emitting and receiving mechanisms. Often mounted
remote to the pattern of spray from the spray head, sensing
difficulties are experienced, or overt movements out of the path of
spray are required of the user to activate the system. The spray
head of the present invention overcomes these difficulties.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a spray head for a shower or
sink which includes signal emitting and receiving means for the
purpose of automatic actuation of flow in response to the presence
of a user. The means are disposed such that the spray engulfs or
surrounds the signal emitting and receiving means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a faucet utilizing the spray head of
the present invention in a scrub sink application.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged section through the spray head.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the retainer assembly of the spray
head in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the retainer assembly of the spray head in
FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is an end view of the retainer assembly shown in FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is an elevational view partially in section of an
alternative embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 7 is a sectional elevational view of a retainer used in the
embodiment of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is an end view of the retainer of FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A system utilizing the spray head of the present invention is shown
schematically in FIG. 1. The spray head, indicated generally by the
numeral 10, is connected to a conduit in the form of a U-shaped or
gooseneck hollow spout 12 which is mounted on a scrub sink or basin
14. The spout 12 is connected to a tee 16, which in turn is
connected to a water supply line 18. The water supply line 18
includes a valve 20 which controls the flow of water through the
supply line 18 in accordance with the condition of a solenoid 22.
An adjustable or preset temperature mixing valve 24 mixes hot and
cold water in lines 26 and 28 which are connected to a suitable
water supply.
Operation of the spray head of the illustrated embodiment is
controlled by an electronic control means indicated schematically
at 30. The control means 30 in this embodiment includes emitting
and detecting circuitry for emitting and detecting infrared
signals. Electrical power is supplied to the control means 30
through a circuit generally designated as 32 which includes a
transformer 34 connected to line voltage. The electronic control
means 30 is connected to the solenoid 22 to activate the flow of
water in response to a detected signal.
As seen in FIG. 2, electrical conductors 36 connect the control
means 30 to a light emitting diode (LED) emitter 38 and a photo
transistor detector 40. A suitable emitting diode is an OP295C
gallium aluminum arsenide infrared emitting diode available from
the Optoelectronics Division of TRW Electronic Component Group,
Carrollton, Tex. A suitable phototransistor is the OP501 SLA NPN
silicon phototransistor available from the same source. The
electrical conductors 36 here are two wire conductors, housed in a
protective conduit 42 which extends from the control means 30,
through packing nut 44, into tee 16, through spout 12 and into the
spray head 10. In the illustrated embodiment, signals are emitted
by the emitter 38 and detected by the detector 40 to control
solenoid 22 in response to the presence of a user as will become
apparent. Any suitable circuitry may be utilized to control
operation of the solenoid valve 20. An example of a suitable
circuit is found in copending application for U.S. patent Ser. No.
157,606, filed Feb. 19, 1988, and owned by the common assignee of
this application. Other control circuits that could be adapted to
use with the spray head of the present invention are shown in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 3,151,340, 3,415,278, 3,491,381, 3,505,692, 3,551,919,
3,585,652, 3,575,640, 4,309,781, 4,398,310, 4,402,095 and
4,682,628. Also, the control means need not utilize infrared
signals. Other forms of sensing arrangements such as
electro-magnetic proximity sensing, pyroelectric and Doppler-type
sensors could be used.
The spray head 10 disperses water in a spray pattern indicated
schematically at 48. The emitter 38 receives a current through
conductors 36 which cause the emitter 38 to emit infrared light
signals. The signals from LED 38 are directed to a sensing zone,
indicated schematically at 50, which represents the field of view
of phototransistor 40. As seen, the zone 50 is engulfed by the
spray so that the stimulus to activate the spray is necessarily
positioned within the spray path in order to initiate operation.
When a user places his hand or other body portion within the
sensing zone 50, the light emitted from the LED 38 contacts and
reflects toward the detector 40. The detector 40 detects the light
and transmits an electrical signal or current to the control means
30 via other of the electrical conductors 36. This activates the
circuitry in the control means 30 which energizes the solenoid 22
opening the valve 20, thereby allowing water to flow through the
supply line 18, spout 12 and spray head 10. Water will flow for as
long as the user is within the sensing zone. When, for example, in
the instance of the spray head 10, the hands are removed, the
detector 40 no longer detects reflected light so the control means
30 ultimately deenergizes the solenoid 22, closing valve 20.
Details of the spray head 10 are shown in FIG. 2. The spray head 10
includes a substantially bell-shaped housing 46 threaded or
otherwise fastened onto the end of the water supply spout 12. The
housing 46 includes a nut 52 threaded thereto which includes
generally inverted conical seat 54 defining outlet opening 56. Flow
control means are mounted in the housing 46 for directing water
through the housing 46 and out of the outlet opening 46 of the nut
52 in a controlled spray pattern indicated at 48 in FIG. 1. The
flow control means also comprise means to support the signal
emitting and receiving means within the spray head.
The flow control means includes a movable piston 58 having an upper
cylindrical chamber defined by a flange portion 60 and an integral,
hollow stem 62 threaded internally and externally at open end 64. A
plurality of ports 66 are formed in the sides of the upper portion
of the piston 58. The piston 58 is biased upwardly toward the spout
end of housing 46 by a spring 68 engaging the underside of the
flange portion 60. The spring 68 rests on a mounting plate 70 which
is held between the bottom land of the housing 46 and a shoulder 72
on the nut 52. The piston 58 is slidable with respect to plate 70.
The mounting plate 70 includes a plurality of passages 74 placed in
a circular pattern to permit passage of water as will be
explained.
A PrestoLok.TM. fitting 76, having an aperture formed through the
center thereof, is threaded into the piston 58 upon the internal
thread 65 at open end 64. These threads are pipe threads. The
conduit 42 containing the electrical conductors 36 is inserted
through the aperture in the fitting 76 and sealed against the
surrounding water by element 77 which creates a fluid tight seal.
The electrical conductors 36 extend outwardly from the end of the
conduit 42 at open end 64 of piston 58.
A substantially cylindrical retainer assembly, generally designated
by the numeral 84, is secured to the external thread of open end 64
of piston 58. It includes a shoulder 86 adjacent its outer end or
face 88 exposed at outlet opening 56. Retainer assembly 84 is made
of plastic such as "Noryl" ABS plastic available from General
Electric Company. A diverter plate 78 which may be made of similar
plastic is pressed onto the outer diameter of retainer assembly 84.
Diverter plate 78 captures a nameplate 82 against shoulder 86.
As best seen in FIG. 3, the retainer assembly 84 is open at the
upper end and defines a hollow chamber 90 which extends
approximately 2/3 the length of retainer assembly 84. The inner
circumference of the upper portion of the chamber 90 is threaded.
These threads secure the retainer to the external threads on open
end 64 of stem 62 in a water tight relationship.
The remaining 1/3 of the retainer assembly 84 is substantially
solid from wall 87 and has defined therein a pair of cylindrical
openings 92 and 94 having counterbores 96 and 98, and larger
counterbores 100 and 102 at their respective lower ends. The
counterbores 100 and 102 are open through face 88 of the retainer
assembly 84.
Each counterbore 96 and 98 is adapted to secure an equaconvex lense
104 and 106, respectively. The counterbores 100 and 102 in the face
88 of the retainer assembly 84 are provided with respective
transparent thermoplastic windows 108 and 110, which lie flush with
the face 88. These windows 108, 110 are ultrasonically welded in
place and are water tight.
Cylindrical opening 92 is adapted to receive the LED 38. The photo
transistor 40 is positioned in cylindrical opening 94. The emitter
38 and detector 40 are then centrally positioned in outlet opening
54 and face in the direction of the pattern of spray such that the
zone 50 is within or generally coextensive with the spray
pattern.
A circular-shaped P.C. board 112 is disposed within the upper
portion of the chamber 90 such that it lies adjacent to and in face
contact with the solid wall 87 of the retainer assembly 84. The
emitter 38 and detector 40 include leads which extend outwardly
beyond the base of the P.C. board 112 and attach to electrical
conductors 36 which connect with control means 30. The chamber 90
is filled with a suitable waterproof material or sealer to ensure
that the connection of the conductors 36 to the emitter 38 and
detector 40 are water tight. The waterproof material may also be
placed on the threaded connection of the retainer assembly 84 to
the piston open end 64.
A partition 114, shown in FIGS. 2-5 extends outwardly from the face
88 of the retainer assembly 84. The partition 114 is located
between the windows 108 and 110 and extends to the perimeter of the
face 88. It is provided to help prevent the accidental energization
of the solenoid 22 by an inadvertent reflected signal. For example,
a water droplet formed on the face 88 could, absent the partition
114, cause activation of the spray head 10.
Water entering the piston 58 causes the piston and assemblage to
move toward outlet 56. This movement continues until ribs 80 of
diverter plate 78 seat against surface 54. Water is forced to flow
out the ports 66 in the piston chamber to the exterior of the
piston 58 and into chamber 67. It then passes through passages 74,
past the ribs 80 and out the outlet 56. The ribs 80 form a
plurality of paths which define the spray pattern.
The specific hardware for carrying out the control logic
incorporated in the electronic control means 30 may vary in
accordance with the needs of the particular application for the
spray head. The circuitry illustrated in copending U.S. application
Ser. No. 157,606 is only one example of a suitable circuit. It may
provide for an "On" delay and an "Off" delay and it may provide for
a maximum cycle time, though the latter feature would probably not
be particularly desirable and could be eliminated.
Turning now to FIGS. 6-8, an alternate embodiment of the spray head
of the present invention is illustrated. As in the embodiment of
FIGS. 1-5, the spray head 116 includes a generally bell-shaped
housing 148 threaded or otherwise fastened onto the end of the
water supply spout 118. In this embodiment, the signal emitting and
receiving means take the form of fiber optic cables housed in a
sheath which extends between the spray head 116 and the control
means 30. The sheathed cables extend through spout 118 and packnut
44 to an emitter LED and a detector phototransistor mounted in the
control means 30. This embodiment eliminates all electrical
conductors from exposure to water.
The housing 148 includes a nut 150 threaded thereto which includes
tapered cylindrical seat 151 defining an outlet opening 152. Flow
control means are mounted in the housing for directing water
through the housing and out of the open end 152 of the nut 150 in a
controlled spray pattern similar to the spray pattern indicated at
48 in FIG. 1.
The flow control means includes a movable piston 153 having an
upper cylindrical chamber defining flange portion 154 and an
integral, hollow stem 155 with an internally threaded open end 156.
A plurality of ports 158 are formed in the sides of the upper
portion 154 of piston 153. The piston 153 is supported in the
housing 148 by a spring 160 engaging the underside of the flange
portion 154. The spring 160 rests on a mounting plate 162 which is
held between the bottom land of the housing 148 and a shoulder on
the nut 150. The mounting plate includes passages 164.
A diverter plate 166 is mounted at the end of the piston stem 155.
The plate 166 has a plurality of vanes 168 which direct water out
the end of the housing in the desired spray pattern. A nameplate
170 fits on the open face of the diverter 166.
A retaining screw 172 is used to fasten the nameplate 170 and
diverter plate 166 to the end of the stem 154. Details of the
retaining screw 172 are shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The retaining screw
has a body 174 having a central bore 176 therethrough with an
enlarged counterbore 179 forming an O-ring seat. Threads 178 are
formed at the upper end of the body, while the lower end has a
shoulder 180. A transverse, threaded opening 182 communicates with
the bore 176. The lower end face of the retaining screw 172 is
illustrated in FIG. 8. That face has a plurality of curved grooves
186 extending from the bore 176 to the periphery of the body
174.
Returning now to FIG. 6, it can be seen that the retaining screw
threads 178 engage similar threads in the lower interior portion of
the stem 154. The shoulder 180 engages the nameplate 170 and
diverter plate 166 to retain those part in position.
The signal conveying means comprise a pair of fiber optic cables
190 and 192 housed within a protective sheath 188. One cable
carries infrared signals from emitter 38 in control means 30 and
directs these signals to zone 50. The second optic cable receives
reflected signals from zone 50 and carries them back to
phototransistor 40 to energize the solenoid 22 when a stimulus is
present within the zone 50.
The sheath 188 extends through the piston chamber and its opening
156 into the hollow stem 154. A first O-ring seal 194 is disposed
in a seat in the stem 154 and engages the sheath 188 to prevent
water from flowing along the sheath through the piston stem 154.
Thus, water is forced to flow out the ports 158 in the chamber to
the exterior of the piston 153, through passages 164 and out the
end of the spray head past the vanes 168. The sheath 188 terminates
just inside the seat 184 of the retaining screw 172. A second
O-ring seal 196 is provided in the seat 184 as a further
preventative measure against water reaching the ends of the fiber
optic cables 190, 192. The end of the sheath 188 carries a rigid,
hollow plug 198 which extends from about the first O-ring 194, past
the end of the sheath 188 and into the bore 176 of the retaining
screw 172. The plug 198 is held in the bore 176 by a set screw 200
disposed in the opening 182 of the retaining screw. The fiber optic
cables 190 and 192 extend into the plug 198 and are potted therein
by a resin material 202 (FIG. 8). Thus, it can be seen that the
ends of the fiber optic cable are exposed to light entering the
bottom of the spray head 116. The ends of the cable are protected
from water flowing through the spout 118 and spray head 116 by the
sheath 188, O-ring seals 194 and 196, the retaining screw 172 and
the plug 198. Water reaching the ends of the fiber optic cables
190, 192, either by splashing or otherwise, is channeled away from
the cable by the groove 186.
As can be appreciated, other forms of emitting and receiving means
could be used to trigger the circuitry which operates the solenoid
22 to supply water to the spray head. For example, only one of the
emitters 38 or detectors 40 need be mounted in the spray head 10.
The other could be mounted in the control means 30. One electrical
conductor 36 could connect the active element in the spray head to
the control means 30. The other could be in communication with zone
50 through a fiber optic cable 190 or 192.
Whereas a preferred form of the invention has been shown and
described, it will be understood that modifications can be made
thereto without departing from the scope of the following
claims.
* * * * *